The Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism & Sport will meet tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10am in Committee Room 4, Leinster House to discuss the challenges facing the Irish Coast Guard, including its volunteer members.

The Irish Coast Guard including its committed volunteers, plays a crucial role working with and for communities across the country, and last year saw the service save even more lives than it did in 2017, over 400 compared to 340 for 2017.

Ahead of the meeting, the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Committee Chairman Fergus O’Dowd TD, said: “The Committee is eager examine the issues and challenges facing the men and women who protect communities through their work with the Irish Coast Guard.

“The 1,000 Coast Guard volunteers deliver a variety of critical services to our people, from boat, cliff and shoreline search-and-rescue missions as well as supporting their local communities during emergencies such as extreme weather.

“These community services were especially evident twelve months ago during Storm Emma, and it is imperative that the voice of Coast Guard members, staff and professional volunteers, is heard” said Deputy O’Dowd.

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachtas-tv/cr4-live/

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.